As you would imagine, becoming physically literate starts early in life when kids are exposed to fundamental movements – things like running, skipping, jumping, catching, kicking, sliding, and striking.

Involvement in youth sports then builds upon these basics.

But it does not end there.

Choices that you and your athlete make during the middle school and high school years can impact their individual journey, toward cultivating lifelong physical literacy.

Here are 3 ways to keep them on the right track.

1) Play Multiple Sports

With sports clinics, travel teams, and one-on-one coaching, specialization in sports seems to be happening at younger and younger ages.

Parents dreaming of full sports scholarships are dropping significant resources into helping their athlete become REALLY good at that one sport.

However, a study released just last year at the AOSSM (American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine) annual meeting, gives compelling evidence against this approach.

In a nutshell, “specialization at a very young age does NOT increase the likelihood of an athlete achieving elite status within her sport.” And it puts her at risk for overuse injuries.

More often than not, colleges are now looking to recruit multi-sport athletes over their single-sport counterparts because their overall athleticism is at a higher level.

Even more fascinating, according to the study, ONLY 22.3% of the professional athletes that were asked, said they would have their children specialize in just one sport.

2) Seek Body Balance

Some sports lend themselves to an imbalance in the body. And this is especially likely if your athlete only does a single sport.

Founder of Growing Champions for Life, David helps sports parents and coaches incorporate positivity and persistence into their communication with the young athletes who count on their encouragement and guidance. An eight-time national water skiing champion, five-time national record holder in water ski jumping, former World Championship U.S. Water Ski Team coach, and proud professional sports parent, he understands first-hand the challenges and rewards of competition. His extensive experience as a corporate leadership coach for Nextel, Sprint, Allstate, Balfour Beatty, The Villages and other companies provides David with unique insight into the skills needed to excel in sports, business and life. He brings an athlete's discipline, a coach's inspiration, and a parent's practical experience to his mission to grow not just champion young athletes, but holistically well-rounded individuals equipped for lifelong excellence.

From Chump to Champ – How Individuals go from Good to Great

Join David Benzel on one of the most significant and meaningful endeavors you will every take. It is a journey that must start on the individual level, and requires persistence and direction every step of the way.